Pope John II

Pope John II (470-8 May 535), born Mercurius, was Pope from 532 to 535, succeeding Pope Boniface II and preceding Pope Agapetus I.

Biography
Mercurius was born in 470 AD in Rome, the son of Projectus. Mercurius became a priest at the Basilica di San Clemente, and in 532 he was elected as pope, and he took on the regnal name "John II". He was the first pope to change his name for his reign, and Justinian I of Byzantium honored him with gifts and a declaration of his orthodox Catholic faith. He died in 535, only three years after becoming pontiff.